Omega 256

She has other songs including Deep In Love, Ndera andKeeza, many of them done in Runyankore. This Year has for the last couple of months been trending on all radio and TV stations, but many know the song more than the artiste behind it.

Quick Talk tracked down the singer for a chat about how she has made it this far, her plans, and family.

Tell me about yourself, Omega 256. Is that even your real name?

My real name is Murerwa Shamim. I am a musician popularly known as Omega 256 or Queen of the West. I attended Shalom Keben for my primary school, Sentah College for my O-level and after O-level I decided to branch out into music. More info will be shared when I am done with that level.

God blessed me with a father that made sure we got everything we wanted, even though we weren’t rich, but with time as I grew, a little depression came in when I missed my mum. I lost my mother when I was five years old, and yes our father got us another mother that loved and cared for us so much, but I guess blood is just blood. I still miss my mum sometimes, but I have learned to live without her. And I know she wouldn’t want to see me in that situation.

Sorry! When did you start singing?

I have been singing since I was a child, but I officially joined the music industry in 2017.

How have you managed to balance your music with your private life?

I am a different person depending on where you find me. I am Omega when I have to and I make sure I keep Omega out of Shamim’s business and so is the reverse.

Funny that; considering that Shamim’s life depends on Omega’s music! Does Shamim do anything else?

I am going to unveil my other business; hopefully, people will support me there too like they have supported my music business [she declines to say what business].

Have you ever felt that your music is more popular than you?

Yes, but not anymore. The people know their artistes [okay…if you say so!].

So, are you okay with people classifying you as a dancehall gospel artiste?

I am not a dancehall artiste and definitely not a gospel artiste; so, I am uncomfortable with that. [Being off grid during the pandemic] taught me to use every opportunity that comes my way and prepare myself for any kind of situation that could happen [she is not boxing herself in a genre, although her music leans heavily into RnB and Ugaflow]. Also, it taught me that everything is possible. 

How many songs do you have?

I have more than 13 songs. I recently shared my track list comprising all my songs on all online music stores.

What next after This Year?

I have got a brand new song titled No Money. It’s a song about stingy men, in case you have not yet listened to it. I wrote it with assistance from my manager and producer, Nessim.

If you were not a musician, what would you be?

I don’t think there is anything I would do better than music, but I would have loved to be a doctor.

What is your favourite food?

As long as I have got rice on my plate… even if you don’t give me sauce. But beans or peas would make the rice perfect.

Where do you see yourself in the next years?

Well, I can’t say “where I see myself ”, but by God’s grace, I hope to be somewhere better than where I am today.

Any last words for your fans?

Thank you for loving and believing in me and to my core fans, keep repping me; do it till the death of me, because I am nobody [without you]. My fresh project No Money is out, available at all online music stores.

atiluknathan@gmail.com